New Zealand equalise series after thrilling run-chase

New Zealand equalised the two-match series 1-1 after ripping through the Bangladesh batting, and despite some top-order alarms, chasing down the target of 137 just after Tea on Day 4.

Devon Conway was the first to be dismissed in the run-chase that began minutes before the lunch break, trapped LBW by Shoriful Islam. Kane Williamson attacked Taijul Islam in order to up the ante, but was eventually stumped off the bowler, sending the Bangladesh team into a frenzy.

Henry Nicholls was the next batter to depart, struck in front and playing for the spin of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and also burned a review as he headed back to the pavilion. Latham survived an LBW appeal against Taijul, but eventually fell, caught at slip to Mehidy. The procession continued as Tom Blundell nicked one to the keeper, and after some resistance, Daryl Mitchell nicked Mehidy to slip, to have New Zealand on the rope at 69-6.

However, it was then that Mitchell Santner joined Glenn Phillips, and despite some some close LBW shouts and a dropped chance, the two anchored New Zealand to victory with a 70-run stand after Tea on Day 4.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh collapsed from 71-2 to 144 all-out on Day 4 morning, courtesy a combined nine wickets picked up by New Zealand’s left-arm spinners Ajaz Patel (6-57) and Mitchell Santner (3-51). Mominul Haque and Zakir Hasan started fluently, but the spinners skittled through the line-up, other than Zakir Hasan, who scored a crucial fifty before he became Ajaz’s fifth scalp.

New Zealand wrapped up the innings for 144, setting themselves 137 in the final innings, which they chased down after an alarming start, levelling the series 1-1 and getting on the World Test Championship board for the 2023-25 cycle.

Brief scores:
New Zealand 139-6 (Glenn Phillips 40*, Mitchell Santner 35*, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 3-52) and 180 beat Bangladesh 172 and 144 (Zakir Hasan 59, Ajaz Patel 6-57) by 4 wickets